Uncompressed tampon and applicator



March 11, 1969 E. H. KRUSKO UNCOMPRESSED TAMPON AND APPLICATOR Filed Nov4, 1965 Sheet of 2 INVENTOR. EVELYN H. KRUSKO ATTORNEY March 11, 1969 E.H. KRUSKO 3,431,909

UNCOMPRESSED TAMPON AND APPLICATOR Filed Nov. 4, 1965 Sheet 2 ofINVENTOR.

o 22 EVELYN H. KRUSKO ATTORNEY United States Patent 8 Claims ABSTRACT OFTHE DISCLOSURE A tampon of the uncompressed type is disclosed, alongwith a container and applicator therefor. The tampon comprises at leastone sheet of soft, absorbent resilient material, preferably a soft,flulfy resilient web of relatively long, natural or synthetic fibers,having substantial thickness and bulk, bonded together by an adhesivespray on one or both surfaces without completely wetting out the webwith adhesive so that it retains its bulk, loft and inherent resiliencywhen compressed. The sheet has a plurality of overlying or adjacentloose pleats or folds parallel to one another and being gatheredtogether at a point central of their ends and folded approximately inhalf. Some embodiments include one or more additional structures foldedin half around the fold area of the first structure. A removal cord isattached to the tampon adjacent the fold area. A container-applicator isdisclosed having the surface which contacts the tampon treated toincrease its lubricity. in addition, the outside surface of at least aportion of the applicator is made more lubricious and hydrophobic tofacilitate insertion.

This invention relates to catamenial appliances of the tampon type and,more particularly, to a new and improved tampon of an uncompressed typeof construction and a new and improved container and applicatortherefor.

Although tampons constructed in a variety of different ways and ofdifferent materials have been employed for many years, they have notbeen considered entirely satisfactory in use. Most significant among theproblems encountered during use has been undesirable leakage especiallyduring the initial, generally profuse, menstrual fiow, due partly to thefailure of the tampon to completely block the vaginal passage. Anothercause of such leakage has been the limited ability to produce a tamponhaving sufiicient absorbency and capacity to retain vaginal fluidsissuing during normal use, even when these fluids are moderate inquantity.

In the past, most tampons have been of the compressed type. That is, thematerial forming the absorbent body of the tampon and designed forinsertion into the vaginal passageway has been of a highly-compacted,dense nature and of a fixed shape generally with a circularcross-section which has been found most convenient for insertion throughthe sphincter, that region surrounding the opening into the vaginalpassage. The shape of a compressed tampon does not change much duringuse since absorption is slow with the material so highly compacted. As aresult, the tampon not only is uncomfortable, but also is unable toconform to the shape of the vaginal canal and assume sealing contactwith the Walls thereof to prevent leakage.

The tampon of the invention is of the uncompressed type and one featureof the invention is a new construction for this type of tampon.Obviously, even a tampon of the uncompressed type must be temporarily atleast partially compressed for insertion through the vaginal opening.However, as used hereafter, the term uncompressed tampon shall refer tothat type of tampon which is designed to open up and expand into aloose, conforming shape after insertion into the vaginal canal asdistinguished from the compressed type having highly compacted, densestructures of a relatively fixed shape and which do not readily expandto a significant extent. More particularly, the expansion of anuncompressed tampon after insertion is due primarily to mechanicalforces and inherent resiliency of the material forming it, asdistinguished from expansion of a compressed tampon which normallyoccurs only after absorption of considerable amounts of moisture.

It is an object of the invention to provide a new and novel tamponconstrucfion designed to be uncompressed in use and to be flexible so asto fill the vaginal passage especially at the upstream end withoutbecoming bulky or otherwise uncomfortable to a user.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a new uncompressedtampon which can be temporarily compressed into the form of a cylinderof a constant diameter and inserted into the vaginal passage through thesphincter but which, upon being released from the insertion device,expands in which in a flexible and resilient way to form a softuncompressed absorbent tampon body which contacts the vaginal wallsespecially at the upstream end thereof and provides greater protectionagainst leakage than does a commonly used compressed tampon.

These and other objects and advantages are achieved by employing atleast one sheet of soft, absorbent, resilient material having aplurality of overlying or adjacent loose pleats or folds parallel to oneanother, said pleats being gathered together at a point central of theirends and folded approximately in half, being adapted for insertion intothe vaginal passage with the uncompressed ends thereof directed towardthe upstream end of said passage. The sheet has a series of parallel andsuccessively reversed pleats or folds formed along lines of folding thatare parallel to each other to form multiple overlying layers, whenpartially compressed, having substantially equal widths. In anotherembodiment, additional structures like the above may be folded in halfaround the fold area of the first structure so that their uncompressedends are positioned substantially between the ends of the firststructure. A removal cord is secured to the tampon preferably at thedovmstream end adjacent the transverse folds, for withdrawing the tamponfrom the vaginal passage after a period of use.

One of the reasons for reluctance to employ an uncompressed tampon inthe past has been the difliculty of providing a construction which couldbe temporarily compressed into a shape capable of being easily andcomfortably inserted through the sphincter into the vaginal passage andyet which would readily expand to a sufiicient extent to form aneffective uncompressed tampon which would prevent leakage and provideabsorption. This appears to have been due to faulty tampon design aswell as a failure to use the most desirable materials for constructingthe tampon from the standpoint of the combination of properties such assoftness, resiliency, and absorbency. Previous attempts to use webs of aloose fibrous mesh to obtain resiliency results in a large amount offiber loss during use and concomitant discomfort and irritation.

A feature of the invention is a new type of material for forming thetampon body and basically is a type of nonwoven structure comprised ofrelatively long natural or synthetic fibers in a soft fluffy resilientweb having substantial thickness and 'bulk. The fibers in the web arebonded together by an adhesive spray on one or both surfaces withoutcompletely wetting out the web with adhesive so that it retains itsbulk, loft and inherent resiliency when compressed. The loose fibrousconstruction can be provided without fiber loss during use if thematerial is bonded on both surfaces or if two layers of the material arecombined in a manner such that their unbonded surfaces face together.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide an improved,uncompressed tampon which is constructed of a more resilient material,and which is formed so that it can be temporarily compressed withoutinhibiting subsequent expansion of the tampon when uncompressed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new absorbent web orsheet construction for use in a tampon wherein a fiuffy web of longresilient fibers is held together by a light application of a bondingadhesive on at least one surface thereof.

Another problem encountered in use of the uncompressed tamponspreviously employed is the ejection of the tampon from its container orapplicator when in its temporarily compressed state since considerablefrictional force is created between the tampon and the walls of thecontainer or applicator due to the resiliency and inherent expansiontendencies of the temporarily compressed tampon and the roughness andfrictional characteristics of the fibrous paperboard tube normally used.There is also a problem in inserting the uncompressed tampon into thevaginal passage. Friction between the container or applicator tube andthe vaginal walls causes difiiculty and discomfort in penetrating thesphincter with the container so that the tampon may be ejected from thetube into the vaginal passage and the enclosing tube withdrawn. Thisfriction is believed to be due to the excessive dryness of the vaginalwalls which is increased in most instances by the absorbent nature ofthe material forming the normal tampon insertion tube.

The invention provides a surface surrounding the tampon when in itstemporarily compressed state, which has a substantially reducedcoefficient of friction as compared with the material normallycomprising the applicator. This is provided by means of a coating orlayer of a different material which is formed into the tube, whichcoating or layer is comprised of material having the desired lubriciousproperties. This allows the tampon to slide out from the applicator uponthe application of very little orce.

In another embodiment, the tampon body itself has a treated outsidesurface which increases its lubricity and cases its ejection from thecontainer or applicator. In ad dition, the outside surface of theapplicator tube of the invention is made to be more lubricious andhydrophobic than the material comprising the tube by means of anadditional coating or layer which facilitates the sliding insertion ofthe tube into the vaginal orifice.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a new and improvedtampon container and applicator which allows an uncompressed tamponwhile in its temporarily compressed state to be easily ejected from thecontainer or applicator.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an applicatorwhich can easily be inserted at least partially through the sphincterand into the vaginal passage without as much difficulty and discomfortdue to friction as has been experienced with previous commonly employedapplicators.

These and additional objects and advantages of the present inventionwill be more apparent from the following detailed description thereof,taken in view of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a sheet of absorbent material having aseries of parallel and successively reversed pleats formed therein.

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of a sheet material employed to forma tampon of the invention having two layers of preferred non-wovenfabric with facing unbonded surfaces.

FIGURE 3 is an isometric view of one embodiment of a tampon of theinvention.

FIGURE 4 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a tampon of theinvention.

FIGURE 5 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a tampon of theinvention.

FIGURES 6, 7 and 8 illustrate progressively the manner in which a tamponof the invention is temporarily compressed by insertion into anapplicator and container of the invention to form a vaginal tamponproduct of the invention.

FIGURE 1 illustrates a sheet 10 of soft, absorbent, resilient materialwhich has been loosely pleated or folded, without creasing, a pluralityof times in alternately opposite directions to form when compressed aplurality of overlying or adjacent layers or pleats 11 of material. Thesheet 10, when compressed, is loosely folded at lines of folding 12which are substantially parallel into a series of parallel andsuccessively reversed pleats. When compressed, the resulting elongatedlayers 11 preferably have a width of from about inch to about 1 inch.The sheet shown in FIGURE 1 can be stretched out or have its pleatspressed together, in an accordion-like fashion, either all along thesheet or only at portions such as the middle or the ends. The importanceof this feature of the construction will be seen subsequently.Obviously, the number of pleated sections 11 will vary.

In order to assure that the resulting tampon product will provide thehighest security against leakage and will expand most fully within thevaginal passage, it is preferred that the folds 12 not be permanentlycreased; that is, the fibers comprising the sheet 10 in the area of thefold lines 12 should not be severely distorted or bent so as to producepermanent deformation but should merely be loosely bent or curved sothat their natural resiliency tends to force them to straighten outagain. In this regard, rayon fibers have been found to have excellentrecovery properties as well as contributing excellent absorbency andsoftness to the tampon.

Any sheet material having high absorbency may be used in theconstruction of a tampon of the invention. For example, the material maybe either fabric or paper, and of a woven or nonwoven type. The fibersmay be any of the hydrophilic fibers commonly employed in absorbentsheet materials such as cellulose, or any other natural or syntheticfibers which can be employed to form a sheet material which will possessabsorbency and, preferably, resiliency so that the unfolding action andexpansive qualities of the tampon of the invention will be enhanced.

The material preferred for use in constructing the tampon body is anon-woven fibrous fabric in the form of a mesh-like web having high bulkand loft and which is bonded on one or both of its outside surfaces. Thefibers are preferably allowed to remain unbonded and free at least inthe interior of the web and often on one surface also.-This fabricmaterial has a number of advantages over materials previously employedfor tampon manufacture. It has greater bulk and absorbency per weightsince the loosely bonded fibers present a large surface area and are notcompacted together. The unbonded interior of the fluffy fibrous web alsoserve to enhance the resiliency of the material so that it tends toexpand and straighten out quickly after it has been crumpled. Since itis non-woven but rather, resin bonded, it does not tend to lose fibersduring use.

In the manufacture of the preferred material of this invention, a fibersuch as cotton, rayon, or a combination of both or any other hydrophilicfibers, natural or synthetic, is laid down in the form of a non-wovenweb which has relatively high bulk, loft and thickness and which can beeither carded, wet laid, or air laid as desired. A light spray ofadhesive such as polyvinyl alcohol is applied in an amount sufficient toloosely bond together the portions of the fibers exposed to the surfaceof the fluffy web without substantial amounts penetrating the web. Theweb is not completely wet out, and retains its bulk and loft. Uponfeeding the web through a drying oven and applying heat from the top,the adhesive is retained on the top surface allowing the fibers toremain free or unbonded in the interior and on the opposite surface. Theweb could then be similarly treated to elfect bonding of the fibers onthe opposite surface by reversing the web and applying adhesive anddrying in the same manner.

The preferred construction of sheet material for use in a tampon of theinvention is shown in FIGURE 2. Two sheets of web material formed asdescribed above with bonding only on one surface 13 thereof are arrangedwith their unbonded surfaces 14 face-to-face so that fiber loss duringuse is substantially eliminated. This construction allows the loose endsof the fibers to nest and create a web 15 in the center between thebonded sides of the sheets. When the sheets are folded or pleated, therequired resiliency and ability to expand the tampon structure uponinsertion into the vaginal passage is provided, with correspondingremoval of the confining container and release of the temporaryconfining force.

Although many diiferent fibers may be employed to form the above sheet,crimped rayon fibers of a type manufactured by American Viscose Company,Marcus Hook, Pa., are excellent for this use. The fibers preferablyshould have an average length of about 2 inches, with a minimum of 1inch and a maximum of 3 inches. The thickness of a single mesh-like webis preferably between about inch and inch, in the uncompressedcondition. The web may have its fibers aligned in machine direction, orin cross direction, or it may be a random laid web. The bonding materialmay be applied as a solution or as a thermoplastic adhesive. Bonding mayalso be elfected by adding to the web a mixture of special thermoplasticfibers which fuse when heated. Other materials might be prepared byutilizing a print bond or overall bonding followed by mechanical orchemical roughening or other treatment to produce a nap on one side ofthe bonded nonwoven web thus produced. A heavyweight web might be madeby lightly bonding the fibers on both side of the web, the web laterbeing separated or pulled apart and each one rolled loosely on separaterolls, a nap being produced as the double web is separated at itscenter. Alternatively, a nap may be produced by flocking fibers onto alightweight material.

In any case, preferably the finished web is bonded only on one side sothat the fibers are allowed to remain free generally on one end. Thissheet material has a number of advantages over materials previouslyemployed for tampon manufacture. It has greater bulk and absorbency perweight since the attached but free-ended fibers present a large surfacearea and are not compacted together. The free ends of the fibers alsoserve to enhance the resiliency of the material so that it tends toexpand and straighten out quickly after it has been crumpled. Since itis a bonded non-woven, it does not tend to lose fibers during use.

FIGURE 3 shows one embodiment of a tampon structure 18 formed inaccordance with the invention. The multiple-loosely-folded sheet ofFIGURE 1 is encircled by a draw string or removal cord 16 about itscenter portion 17. This tightens the folds in the center 17 of thepleated structure 18 and leaves the two opposite end portions 19, 19loosely pleated and unrestricted. Obviously, other means of securingdraw string 16 to structure 18 could be satisfactorily employed, such asby puncturing the structure and passing cord 16 through and around. Tocomplete the formation of this embodiment, the pleated structure 18 isthen folded transversely at a point 17 central of the ends 19, 19 of thestructure resulting in a relatively compacted 'area in the central foldportion 17 of the tampon where the removal cord 16 is attached which isthe outer or downstream end of the tampon when in use. The opposite ends19, 19 of the pleated structure 18 are brought together and form theupstream end or inner portion of the tampon.

Significantly, these ends 19, 19 are free to open up in anaccordion-like fashion and to spread or fan out into sealing absorbentcontact with the vaginal walls to prevent leakage while remaining softand not bulky. The very fan-like shape of the tampon may be likened to afunnel which sweepingly catches all in its upstream, broadened,absorbent end and channels it down to a relatively compacted mass whichis in the area of the fold 17. This portion 17 or downstream end of thetampon serves as a form of plug and provides an area of fluid retentionwhich prevents the permeation of menstrual fluid through the tampon evenafter a relatively long period of use.

FIGURE 4 illustrates another embodiment of the tampon of the inventionwhich is desirable when greater bulk and absorbency are required. Thistampon involves a second structure 20 in combination with the structure18 shown in FIGURE 3 and comprises a second pleated sheet 10 formed inthe same manner as structure 18 and folded around the center fold 17 ofthe first structure 18 with its loosely pleated ends 21, 21 positionedbetween the loosely pleated ends 19, 19 of the first structure 18. Asshown in FIGURE 4, structure 20 will be withdrawn by draw string 16pulling along structure 20.

It can readily be seen that a tampon constructed according to FIGURE 4will have much greater absorbency and capacity and provide much longerprotection than that shown in FIGURE 3 in all respects. Thus, muchgreater absorption capacity is provided at the upstream end of thetampon due to the tendency of the four ends, 19, 19, 21, 21, to spreadout in radial directions and to contact more completely the vaginalwalls. It is also apparent that increased plugging abiilty is providedbv the two folded areas at the downstream end without increasing theWidth of the structure unduly due to the axial displacement of the foldarea of one structure relative to the fold area of the other structure.

In this regard, it should be noted that the number of plies of materialemployed as well as the type of material and the thickness of each plywill be very dependent upon the type of construction selected. Care mustbe taken to allow sufficient room within the area of the vagina forexpansion of the tampon into contact with the vaginal walls as well asallowing the vaginal walls to press in on the soft tampon to getcomplete and close contact after the applicator is withdrawn.

The embodiment shown in FIGURE 4 is preferably constructed of from twoto twelve two-ply sheets of a lightly bonded, lightweight, non-wovenrayon fabric of the preferred type described above having a sheet sizeof approximately 4 /2 inches by 12 inches in size, which is looselypleated to a width of approximately /2 inch. Obviously, a greater numberof sheets must be employed in the embodiment shown in FIGURE 3 to getthe equivalent capacity and protection.

The tampon applicator illustrated in FIGURE 5 is of conventional formand basically comprises an outer tube 22, and an inner tube 23 somewhatlonger than tube 22 and having a minor portion of its length at oneslideably inserted into one end of outer tube 22 and the major portionof its length disposed outside of outer tube 22 and in axial alignmenttherewith. Tubes 22 and 23 are arranged to cooperate telescopically sothat inner tube 23 can be slideably moved through outer tube 22.

This structure which is in common use has been modified in accordancewith the invention to achieve a number of the aforementioned uniqueadvantages. These tubes 22 and 23 are normally constructed of a heavycellulosic fiber paper product such as pasteboard or cardboard. In thepast, tampons of both the compressed and the uncompressed type have beendispensed from this type of container. The inner surface of tube 22,surrounding the space where the tampon product is lodged prior to itsinsertion into the vaginal passage, normally possesses a highcoefficient of friction as would be expected from its fibrous nature.This requires that considerable pressure be exerted upon the tampon toforce it from the tube 22. Even greater pressure is required in the caseof an uncompressed tampon since its inherent resiliency forces it intopressure contact with the walls of tube 22. In order to be inserted, alltampons whether compressed or uncompressed, must be reduced to adiameter of about 0.63 inch in diameter or less to allow for insertioninto the vaginal opening. An uncompressed tampon is temporarilycompressed for this purpose.

In accordance with the invention, the inner surface 24 of tube 22 istreated or coated or lined in one of a variety of ways to reduce thecoefiicient of friction thereof and enable the tampon to be pushed fromthe container tube 22 with relative ease. One means for accomplishingthis has been to line the inner surface 24 of tube 22 with a papercoated with an organosilicon compound such as dimethylsiloxane polymerwhich is available as silicone DC-23 manufactured by Dow CorningCorporation of Midland, Mich. Other similar surface or saturationtreatments may be used such as by coating, or spraying or dipping thetube or constituents of the tube using the organosilicon compounds influid, resin or emulsion form. The use of any other physical or chemicalor electrical means of applying a dry or wet lubricant of this nature onthe inner surface of the insertion tube is also contemplated.Alternatively, the exterior of the tampon structure may be treated toincrease its lubricity so as to reduce the force required to remove thetampon from the container. This may be done by applying a compound suchas the above dimethyl siloxane polymer to the outside surface of anassembled tampon structure as by spraying. Other materials which havebeen employed successfully as coatings or liners for the surface 24 oftube 22 include the following:

Release parchments and release papers such as the Patapar brandmanufactured by the Patterson Parchment Paper Company, Bristol, Pa.;Tetrafluoroethylene polymer solids in dispersion such as FluorocarbonSpray S122 manufactured by Miller-Stephenson Chemical Company ofChicago, 111.; Cut-Rite waxed paper manufactured by Scott Paper Companyof Delaware County, Pa., and food grade and all-purpose silicones.

Obviously, a large number of other materials could be employed withequal success for the same purpose, it being realized that it isdesirable to provide a coating having a lower coefficient of frictionthan the normally employed paperboard or similar material used to formthe tube 22. Thus, the coating should provide a reduced frictional forcebetween the tampon and the wall 24 of tube 22 than there is between thetampon and the normal paperboard tube when the tampon is urged axiallyalong tube during insertion and prior to ejection from the container.

Table 1 illustrates the range of kinetic and static coefficients offriction obtained for various materials tested on the G.C.M.I. (GlassContainers Manufacturers Institute) Friction Tester.

The friction tester consists of a hydraulically driven table whichcarries one specimen of the material to be tested and a slider whichcarries another specimen of the material. The slider is kept fromfollowing the motion of the table by a simply supported beam, thedeflection of which determines the force necessary to hold the sliderstationary, thus sliding the top specimen over the bottom one. Thismeasured force divided by the weight of the slider is defined as thecoefficient of friction.

=In general, there aretwo different coefficients of friction. One ofwhich pertains to the starting motion static coefiicient of friction)and the other, smaller one, which pertains to the sliding process itself-kinetic coefficient of friction).

In preparation for the testing, eight materials were selected. Eachmaterial was tested against itself (two tests) and with the untreatedside against the treated side (two tests). All samples were cut andtested in machine direction. Table velocity was equal to 0.1 inch persecond.

8 Calculation of coefficients of friction (with 2.0 lb. wt.) was doneaccording to the following formulae.

,u F S/ 2.0

,LL =Fk/2.0

Materials having the desired low coefficient of friction are exemplifiedby the Patapar brand papers and the Daubert Chemical Company coated withDow Corning DC-23 polymer.

1 Sample Information:

Kromekote is a clay-coated paper made by Champion Paper Company ofKnightsbridge, Hamilton, Ohio.

Waxed paper is a transparent commercial waxed paper made by the MarathonCompany (a division of American Can Company), N eenah,

I atapar papers are a brand of releasing parehments and papers made bythe Patterson Parchment Paper Company, Bristol, Pa.

#503031 and #50-303 are smooth, lightweight strong krait papers with arelease coating on one side.

#60301S1 is a medium weight bleached kratt paper with a release coatingon one side.

#27-197'18 is a lightweight, inexpensive, translucent parchment with arelease coating designed for use where paper weight or strength are152315 51 Chemical Company 1-5OBC1F is a #50 sheet of Kromekote brandpaper treated on one side with Dow Corning DC-23 (Dimethyl iloxanepolymer).

Another desirable characteristic exidenced by the sillcone-coated paperand release-coated parchment is the constancy of static and kineticcoeflicients of friction. By comparison, untreated Kromekote brand paperhas a relatively high coefficient of static (beginning) friction and akinetic (moving) friction reduced by approximately 8%; waxed paper, onthe other hand, has a static friction coefficient about half that ofuntreated Kromekote, and, unlike the Kromekote sample, a kineticfriction coefficient increased by approximately 8% over its staticfriction coefficient. The high coeflicients of friction for theKromekote and increasing kinetic friction for waxed paper make thesematerials less desirable as coatings on the inner surface of the tampontube. On the other hand, kinetic and static coelficients of friction forthe papers treated with organosilicon compounds remain unchanged or varyonly slightly, and tend to be very low, a distinguishing feature ofthese materials and a characteristic which is an important feature ofthis invention.

The tube 22 is normally partially inserted into the vaginal orificeprior to expulsion of the tampon from the tube 22 into the vaginalcavity. The outer surface 25 of the tube 22 on cardboard applicatorsoften causes discomfort and difficulty when this is attempted, due tothe friction between the outer surface '25 of the tube 22 and thevaginal walls. It has been found that by treating the outer surface 25of tube 22, with a dry or wet lubricating material or a more hydrophobicmaterial, this friction is reduced since the surface is more lubriciousand not as much moisture is absorbed from the vagina by the tube. Thismay comprise any of the above-mentioned materials used to treat, coat orform the interior layer 24 of tube 22. The same result may be achievedby utilizing cylindrical tubes fabricated from materials which naturallypossess the low coefficient of friction desired. Some examples of theseare plastic and vinyl materials, or water soluble resin materials may beused to from the tube. One example of this kind of material is ethyleneoxide polymer which is available as Polyox water soluble resinmanufactured by Union Carbide Corporation, New York, N.Y.

FIGURES 6, 7 and 8 illustrate in progressive steps the method in which atampon product of the invention is assembled for use. The tamponstructure shown in FIG- URE 4 is positioned in axial alignment with itsdownstream end adjacent an open end of outer tube 22 of the container.The draw string or removal cord 16 is stretched through outer tube 22and through inner tube 23 and may be used as shown in FIGURE 7 to drawthe tampon structure into the outer tube 22. Other means could be usedto push or draw the tampon into the tube 2'2. FIGURE 8 shows therelative position of the tampon in its temporarily compressed statewithin the tube 22.

From the above description it will be apparent that variousmodifications can be made in the structures described therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A vaginal tampon product comprised of an outer tube, an inner tubehaving a minor portion of its length at one end slidably inserted intoone end of said outer tube and the major portion of its length disposedoutside of said outer tube and in axial alignment therewith, a vaginaltampon of the uncompressed type disposed within the major portion of thelength of said outer tube and ejectable therefrom by moving said innertube towards said tampon, said tampon comprising at least one sheet ofresilient absorbent material loosely folded at lines of folding whichare substantially parallel into a series of parallel and successivelyreversed pleats, said pleat being of a substantially uniform width offrom about inch to about 1 inch and being gathered together andcompressed and folded approximately in half at a point central of theends of said sheet, leaving its ends loosely pleated and substantiallyuncompressed, said sheet comprising a mesh-like web of fibers which hashigh bulk and being bonded on at least one of its outside surfaces, saidfibers being substantially unbonded and free in the interior of saidweb, and a removal cord attached to said tampon, said removal cord beingattached to said sheet adjacent the fold point central of the ends ofsaid sheet, and extending from said sheet through said outer tube andthrough said inner tube, respectively, the inner surface of said outertube having a coating which reduces the frictional force between saidtampon and said inner surface as compared to that between the tampon andthe material comprising said tube, when said tampon is moved axiallywithin said outer tube prior to being rejected.

2. A vaginal tampon product comprised of an outer tube, an inner tubehaving a minor portion of its length at one end slidably inserted intoone end of said outer tube and the major portion of its length disposedoutside of said outer tube and in axial alignment therewith; a vaginaltampon of the uncompressed type disposed within the major portion of thelength of said outer tube in temporarily compressed condition andejectable therefrom by moving said inner tube toward said tampon, saidtampon comprising a first structure of a plurality of sheets ofresilient absorbent material, said sheets forming a composite layer andbeisg loosely folded at lines of folding which are substantiallyparallel into a series of parallel and successively reversed pleats,said pleats being gathered together and compressed at a point central ofthe ends of said composite layer intersected by said pleats and foldedapproximately in half, leaving its ends loosely pleated andsubstantially uncompressed, a second structure contructed according tosaid first structure and folded in half around the fold point of saidfirst structure and having its uncompressed pleated ends positionedsubstantially between the ends of said first structure, and a removalcord attached to said tampon adjacent the fold points of said first andsecond structures; the end of said tampon having said uncompressedpleated ends of said first and second structures being positionedadjacent to and directed toward the end of said outer tube most remotefrom said inner tube so as to enter the vaginal cavity first uponejection from said tube, the inner surface of said outer tube having acoating which reduces the frictional force between said tampon and saidinner surface compared to that between said tampon and the materialcomprising said tube, when said tampon is moved axially within saidouter tube prior to being ejected, and the outer surface of said outertube being treated to increase its lubricity so as to facilitate thesliding insertion of said outer tube into the vaginal orifice.

3. An uncompressed vaginal tampon comprising at least one sheet ofresilient absorbent material loosely folded at lines of folding whichare substantially parallel into a series of parallel and successivelyreversed pleats, said pleats being of a substantially uniform width offrom about inch to about 1 inch and being gathered together andcompressed and folded approximately in half at a point central of theends of said sheet, leaving its ends loosely pleated and substantiallyuncompressed, and a removal cord attached to said sheet adjacent thefold point central of its ends, said sheet of resilient absorbentmaterial comprising a nonwoven rayon fabric having one surfacecontaining resinous bonding material and another surface substantiallyfree from any bonding material.

4. An uncompressed vaginal tampon comprising a plurality of structures,each being formed from at least one sheet of resilient absorbentmaterial loosely folded at lines of folding which are substantiallyparallel into a series of parallel and successively reversed pleats,said pleats being of a substantially uniform width of from about inch toabout 1 inch and being gathered together and compressed and foldedapproximately in half at a point central of the ends of said sheetleaving its ends loosely pleated and substantially uncompressed, saidsuccessive ones of said plurality of structures being folded in halfaround the fold point of a first one of said structures and having theiruncompressed pleated ends positioned substantially between the ends ofsaid first structure, said resilient absorbent sheet material comprisinga nonwoven rayon fabric having one surface containing resinous bondingmaterial and another surface substantially free from any bondingmaterial, and a removal cord attached to said tampon adjacent the foldpoints central of the ends of said sheets.

5. An uncompressed vaginal tampon according to claim 4, wherein saidresilient, absorbent sheet material comprises a flufiy nonwoven layer ofrayon fibers having a length of between about 1 inch and 3 inches, saidlayer having high bulk and loft characteristics and having bondingadhesive on portions of at least one surface thereof, said adhesivebeing present in an amount sufiicient to bond the fibers together at thesurface leaving the interior of said layer free from bonding.

6. An uncompressed vaginal tampon comprising at least one sheet ofresilient absorbent material forming a first structure loosely folded atlines of folding which are substantially parallel into a series ofparallel and su ccessively reversed pleats, said pleats being of asubstantially uniform width of from about inch to about 1 inch and beinggathered together and compressed and folded approximately in half at apoint central of the ends of said sheet, leaving its ends looselypleated and substantially uncompressed, said resilient, absorbent sheetmaterial comprising a nonwoven rayon fabric having one surfacecontaining resinous bonding material and another surface substantiallyfree from any bonding material, a second structure formed according tosaid first structure and folded in half about the fold point of saidfirst structure and having its uncompressed pleated ends positionedsubstantially between the ends of said first structure, and a removalcord attached to said tampon adjacent the fold points central of theends of said sheets.

7. An uncompressed vaginal tampon comprising at least one sheet ofresilient absorbent material forming a first structure loosely folded atlines of folding which are substantially parallel into a series ofparallel and successively reversed pleats, said pleats being of asubstantially uniform width of from about inch to about 1 inch and beinggathered together and compressed and folded approximately in half at apoint central of the ends of said sheet, leaving its ends looselypleated and substantially uncompressed, said resilient, absorbent sheetmaterial comprising a flulfy nonwoven layer of rayon fibers having alength of between about 1 inch and 3 inches, said layer having high bulkand loft characteristics and having bonding adhesive on portions of atleast one surface thereof, said adhesive being present in an amountsutficient to bond the fibers together at the surface leaving theinterior of said layer free from bonding, a second structure formedaccording to said first structure and folded in half about the foldpoint of said first structure and having its uncompressed pleated endspositioned substantially between the ends of said first structure, and aremoval cord attached to said tampon adjacent the fold points central ofthe ends of said sheets.

8. An uncompressed vaginal tampon comprising at least one sheet ofresilient absorbent material loosely folded at lines of folding whichare substantially parallel into a series of parallel and successivelyreversed pleats, said pleats being of a substantially uniform width offrom about inch to about 1 inch and being gathered together andcompressed and folded approximately in half at a point central of theends of said sheet, leaving its ends loosely pleated and substantiallyuncompressed, and a removal cord attached to said sheet adjacent thefold point central of its ends, said sheet of resilient absorbentmaterial comprising a fluffy nonwoven layer of rayon fibers having alength of between about 1 inch and 3 inches, said layer having high bulkand loft characteristics and having bonding adhesive on portions of atleast one surface thereof, said adhesive being present in an amountsuflicient to bond the fibers together at the surface leaving theinterior of said layer free from bonding.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,508,214 5/ 1950 Biedermanl28285 3,015,332 1/1962 Brecht 128-263 3,063,453 11/1962 Brecht l282853,138,159 6/1964 Schmidt 128285 3,347,234 10/1967 Voss 128263 FOREIGNPATENTS 720,390 12/1954- Great Britain. 975,872 ll/ 1964 Great Britain.

CHARLES F. ROSENBAUM, Primary Examiner.

